Budget evokes mixed response from city

“It is good that the income tax slab has been broadened. While some of the items will cost less,the prices of others will see a jump. For instance,microwave ovens,pre-packaged imported goods,mobile phones,watches and readymade garments will become cheaper,while televisions and refrigerators are set to be costlier. Also,while the service tax rates are unchanged,more services would be brought under the tax net,” said Meenakshi Arora,a resident of Sector 20,Chandigarh.  

Meanwhile,the retired army personnel were not too happy with the defence allocation. “This is too little considering that inflation is at an all-time high. The armed forces are not fully prepared to deal with an adversity as very little attention is paid to them. In terms of modernisation and equipment,the Air Force is the weakest among the three forces,” said Colonel (retired) Pritam Bhullar.    

Municipal councillor M P S Chawla said,“The budget would be a burden on the common man,who has been ignored. While the prices of fuel will go up,there is not much for the industries too.”  

While the student community welcomed the policy of subsidising education loans for the economically weaker section,they believed it would cater to only a limited section of students.

“The interest waiver will definitely be helpful but only for a handful,as needy students hardly manage to get loans from banks. It will unfortunately be of no assistance to the vast multitude of poor students who are unable to get the loan in the first place,” said Rahul Rishi,a final-year student of University Institute of Applied Management Studies.  

“The extension of the one per cent interest subvention for affordable housing is clearly a sign that the real estate sector will continue to thrive. While the renewed focus on infrastructure is definitely positive,what was conspicuous by its absence was the formal inclusion of townships under the infrastructure umbrella. In areas where providing infrastructure is a challenge,townships are a boon because they bring their own infrastructure along with them,” reasoned Regional Director Jones Lang LaSalle Manoj Kashyap.

Who bears the brunt?
According to senior citizens’ associations run across the country by Helpage India,it has been found that 82.5 per cent of the elderly have been affected adversely by the rise in prices over the last year and 92.4 per cent feel that the government has done nothing in this regard.

The lower and middle income groups have been hit the hardest. While 71.6 per cent senior citizens have cut down on their health expenditure,40.8 per cent have curtailed the expense on their diets. Nearly 27.8 per cent people have witnessed tension/anxiety levels rise in their families,due to which their relationships have been strained.

Around 84 per cent of the elderly demand subsidised food articles through ration shops and subsidised medical services.

While 82 per cent want further exemption in income tax,58 per cent elderly across India are looking for a structured re-employment programme by the government. Also,an astounding 71.1 per cent want I-T exemptions for people who take care of their old parents.

From the political gallery
Satya Pal Jain,BJP
The budget is a betrayal of faith by the Congress government in whom the people had reposed their trust just a few months ago. The common man who was already under stress due to tremendous increase in prices has been pushed to the wall. Essential commodities have become out of reach of the common man.

Harmohan Dhawan,BSP
The budget has nothing in store for the common man who has badly been hit. The budget talks of increase in prices of petrol and petroleum products. Instead of finding ways to curb the rising prices,the government has further burdened the people.

Ajay Jagga,Janata Party
The budget presented by the Finance Minister has rocked and shocked the nation,as the hike in fuel prices is certainly going to have a cascading effect on prices of almost all goods as transportation costs will rise. The backlash of the “aam aadmi” is inevitable. By any standards it can not be termed as an ideal budget. The tax benefit is not going to affect more than 1 per cent population.

Pardeep Chhabra,Congress
The budget is for the common man. The income-tax slabs have been enhanced that would benefit all. Only prices of goods like luxury cars,air-conditioners and cigarettes will increase.